And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
Balaam said to Balak, 'Stay here by your burnt offering, and I will go away. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet with me, and whatever He shows me, I will tell you.' Then he went to a high place.
Balaam tells King Balak to wait by his sacrifice while he goes to seek a message from God, promising to share whatever God reveals to him.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative of Numbers, Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet from Mesopotamia who was summoned by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the advancing Israelites as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. This event highlights the tension between human schemes and divine sovereignty, as Balaam repeatedly emphasized that he could only speak what God revealed to him. As Balaam went to a high place for a potential encounter with God, it reflected ancient practices of seeking divine messages on elevated sites, which were common in the cultures of the ancient Near East.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.